Will west Phoenix ever become more than a bland suburban styled slum? (apartment, house)

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

The area where I live at 12th St& Washington is much better now than it was prior to the rail, though east of 16th St, it turns kind of dumpy again

I can second that. I live here in Eastlake too and yes it is very true that our neighborhood has vastly improved after the lightrail (especially that corner (12th St & Wash/Jeff)).

Granted we are so close to downtown we were destined for revitalization either way, but that train stop helped a lot.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

The area where I live at 12th St& Washington is much better now than it was prior to the rail, though east of 16th St, it turns kind of dumpy again

A lot of that is because you're close to downtown. The downtown area has seen a lot of positive improvements in the past few years for different reasons. Light rail has possibly been one of the things that helped the central core, but I just don't see where it has sparked revitalization east of downtown (with the exception of Tempe), or along north Central Avenue, west Camelback, or 19th Avenue.

[macluffy]

No, West Phoenix (especially Maryvale) will never improve. Tell you why: the streets through the residential areas are WAY too narrow, and the houses are too close together and built so cheaply- builder-quality stuff. Even if you evict the scum making up a large portion of the population, you're still left with crappy small houses, dangerously navigable roads, and too-close-for-comfort neighbors.

[Burkmere]

No

[DetroitN8V]

Poor people need somewhere to live too.

[Sno0909]

Originally Posted by macluffy

No, West Phoenix (especially Maryvale) will never improve. Tell you why: the streets through the residential areas are WAY too narrow, and the houses are too close together and built so cheaply- builder-quality stuff. Even if you evict the scum making up a large portion of the population, you're still left with crappy small houses, dangerously navigable roads, and too-close-for-comfort neighbors.

Agritopia in Gilbert also has very narrow streets and homes close together. It was designed that way with a purpose of bringing residents closer together and forming community. So those reasons are mitigated.

Scum and low build quality are a whole other issue.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by macluffy

No, West Phoenix (especially Maryvale) will never improve. Tell you why: the streets through the residential areas are WAY too narrow, and the houses are too close together and built so cheaply- builder-quality stuff. Even if you evict the scum making up a large portion of the population, you're still left with crappy small houses, dangerously navigable roads, and too-close-for-comfort neighbors.

Lot sizes in west Phoenix are typically 70-80 x 100 to 110. That is larger than they are in almost any new tract development. As for streets, they too are wider than one finds today with the move to have boulevard style residential streets and passive traffic controls. Many of the homes were built by JF Long while others like Dave Brown came in later. The build quality is pretty much the same as similar homes in Mesa (though those areas too are now in decay). Many were built in the period around 1980 when hardboard panel siding, shingle roofing and package ac was popular. The bones are the same as current builds but newer ones use stucco over styrofoam, concrete roofs, and split ac. It's arguable which is better.

[Casey73]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Poor people need somewhere to live too.

They do. My wife had a house at 32nd St. & McDowell before we got married in 1984. It was a nice neighborhood then. We moved to Chandler when we got married. Drive around 32nd St. & McDowell now and it's not so nice anymore. Lots of poor people live in the area. Many of the older, but well kept homes are now run down and crime in the area has gone up.

[kent_moore]

Looking at Maryvale at Google Street and houses at Zillow, the area doesn't really look bad. Yes, I have low standards. If I am single, I won't mind living in Maryvale, a 1500 sqft house at low 200K, that's a steal for many.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by kent_moore

Looking at Maryvale at Google Street and houses at Zillow, the area doesn't really look bad. Yes, I have low standards. If I am single, I won't mind living in Maryvale, a 1500 sqft house at low 200K, that's a steal for many.

Trust me, there's a reason that the houses are that cheap, more than 1 actually:

-neighborhood is over 90% Mexican and Central American
-few amenities aside from some chain restaurants and a couple grocery stores
-high crime, gang neighborhood
-far from middle class and up employment